Kevin Durant Will Not Play for Nets vs. Raptors Amid Knee Injury Recovery

The Brooklyn Nets will have to wait a little while longer before getting star forward Kevin Durant back on the court.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Durant will not play in Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors as he continues to work his way back from a sprained MCL suffered Jan. 15.

Nets head coach Steve Nash recently told reporters that the team expects Durant to make his return at some point within the upcoming week.

"Every day closer. We'll see. I expect in the next week he'll be back for sure," Nash told reporters Saturday. "It could be quick; it could be the whole week barring any setbacks."

The Nets improved to 32-29 after their 126-123 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, which was just their third win in their last 16 games. Brooklyn has gone just 5-14 in Durant's absence, but his impending return is just one of the reasons for the team's optimism.

The newly acquired Ben Simmons is still inching his way toward his season debut. Also, New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently indicated that he plans on removing the city's vaccine mandate soon, which would open the door for Nets point guard Kyrie Irving to play in home games.

Durant will have multiple opportunities to get back on the court this week as the Nets have four games on the schedule. After hosting the Raptors on Monday, the team will travel to Toronto to face them in a back-to-back Tuesday. Brooklyn will then face the Miami Heat on Thursday and the Boston Celtics on Sunday.